Shepherd

Jesus once lived on this very same earth on which we live. He walked
through grain-fields. He climbed mountains. He noticed the birds and
flowers, and watched the fishermen and farmers and shepherds. He used
the things he saw to teach lessons to his disciples and others who
came to hear him.

[Illustration]

In the land of Palestine, where he lived, sheep-raising was very
common. He said at one time: "I am the good Shepherd, and know my
sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me."

[Illustration]

He was trying to show the people that he was just as anxious to help
people live right and to keep them from danger as the kind shepherds
who watched over their flocks upon the hills of Palestine were anxious
to keep their sheep from harm at all times.

[Illustration: JESUS TEACHING THE WAY OF SALVATION]

At another time Jesus spoke of the lambs and compared them to
children.

Jesus went into meeting-houses and taught the people. Many times he
brought joy to the hearts of fathers and mothers by healing their sick
children. He did good wherever he went. He was always trying to help
those in trouble. He was the best and greatest man who has ever lived.

[Illustration]

Reading and studying about him will help us to stand for the right and
to do good, kind deeds.

We are his sheep if we are Christians, and the way we follow Jesus now
is by reading the Bible and living a Christian life.

[Illustration]

Jesus gave his life for his sheep while he was here on earth. Now he
is up in heaven, but he loves the people who follow him, and is still
our Good Shepherd.

[Illustration: LEARNING OF JESUS]

Parable of the Sower

Jesus taught many spiritual lessons by parables, that is, by stories
about the common things people could understand.

[Illustration]

One day as he sat by the sea of Galilee, he told the people the
parable of the Sower. The sower cast some seed by the wayside, that
is, along the edge of the field or road-side. Some seed fell upon
stony ground, some among thorns, and some on good ground.

The people did not know what he meant till he explained the lesson to
them.

The great sower is Jesus, but all Christians are sowers under him. The
seed is the Word of God. People's hearts are the four kinds of soil.

Parable of the Leaven

Among the stories that Jesus told was the parable of the leaven.

A woman put leaven in the flour as a baker puts yeast in his brea